Short tubular connection system

ABSTRACT

A system for connecting together tubulars includes a first torque-applying device, a second torque-applying device that is offset from the first torque applying device in a first horizontal direction by a first length, a loading assembly configured to convey a first tubular into axial alignment with the first and second torque-applying devices, the first tubular having an axial length that is smaller than the first length, and a tubular spinner configured to spin a second tubular into connection with the first tubular. The first torque-applying device is configured to engage the first tubular, and the second torque-applying device is configured to engage the second tubular so as to apply torque to a connection between the first tubular and the second tubular.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/089,363, which was filed on Oct. 8, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Connecting together tubulars is part of any drilling operation. For example, during drilling operations, a bottom-hole assembly may be connected to a drill string used to bore into the earth and create a well. The drill string is made up of tubular drill pipes, which are connected together, end-to-end. As the drill string advances, additional drill pipes are added to the string, permitting additional advancement into the well. Further, the bottomhole assembly is typically made up of several, shorter (in comparison to the drill pipe) tubular collars, subs, etc. Similarly, the drill string itself may include differently-sized pipes, e.g., to support tools such as cross-overs.

Oftentimes, two or more drill pipes are connected together adjacent to the drilling rig (or even off-site) into “stands” of two tubulars (“doubles”) or three tubulars (“triples”). This may reduce the number of times that drilling is halted to add a new drill pipe to the string. Such stands are generally built in a vertical orientation, using a mousehole and a crane, but can also be built with the drill pipes in a horizontal orientation. For connecting in a horizontal orientation, a bucking assembly may be used. The bucking assembly generally includes two rotational devices used to apply torque to two tubulars so that the connection there between is made up to a predetermined torque specification. The bucking assembly is generally configured specifically to handle long tubulars, such as drill pipes. Horizontal mechanized tubular handling system, used to feed tubulars into and out of the bucking assembly are designed to maneuver tubular items of longer lengths; 25 feet or more. They are not equipped to handle shorter tubulars or support tools such as those used in parts of the of the bottomhole assembly (or other relatively short tubulars, such as lifting subs and crossovers). Thus, if the bottomhole assembly is not pre-assembled, for example, it can be time consuming and difficult to torque the connections thereof at or near the drilling rig.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the disclosure include a system for connecting together tubular. The system includes a first torque-applying device configured to apply torque to a tubular, a second torque-applying device configured to apply torque to a tubular, the second torque-applying device being offset from the first torque applying device in a first horizontal direction by a first length, a loading assembly configured to convey a first tubular at least in a second horizontal direction into axial alignment with the first and second torque-applying devices, the first tubular having an axial length that is smaller than the first length between the first and second torque-applying devices, and a tubular spinner configured to spin a second tubular into connection with the first tubular. The first torque-applying device is configured to engage the first tubular, and the second torque-applying device is configured to engage the second tubular so as to apply torque to a connection between the first tubular and the second tubular.

Embodiments of the disclosure also include a method including loading a plurality of first tubulars into a loading assembly, moving one of the first tubulars in a first horizontal direction into alignment with a first torque-applying device using the loading assembly, spinning a second tubular into connection with the one of the first tubulars, moving the second tubular and the one of the first tubulars through the first torque-applying device in a second horizontal direction, such that the one of the first tubulars moves into a second torque-applying device, the second torque-applying device being spaced apart from the first torque-applying device by a distance that exceeds an axial length of each of the first tubulars, and applying a torque to the one of the first tubulars and to the second tubular using the first and second torque applying devices.

Embodiments of the disclosure further include a system for connecting together tubulars. The system includes a loading assembly for receiving a plurality of first tubulars, a handling assembly including one or more supports for receiving a second tubular, the second tubular being axially longer than each of the first tubulars, the one or more supports being configured to hold the second tubular in axial alignment with one of the plurality of first tubulars in the loading assembly and permit axial movement of the second tubular through one or more torque-applying devices, and a spinner configured to spin at least one of the second tubular or the one of the plurality of first tubulars relative to the other, so as to connect the second tubular and the one of the plurality of first tubulars, such that the one of the first tubulars is prevented, by way of connection with the second tubular, from vertical displacement relative to the second tubular.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings. In the figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wellsite system, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a connection system in a first state, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the connection system in a second state, according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a flowchart of a method for connecting tubulars, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the connection system in a third state, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of the connection system in a fourth state, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first object could be termed a second object, and, similarly, a second object could be termed a first object, without departing from the scope of the invention. The first object and the second object are both objects, respectively, but they are not to be considered the same object.

The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Further, as used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wellsite system according to examples of the present disclosure may be used. The wellsite can be onshore or offshore. In this example system, a drill string 100 is suspend in a bore 102 formed in subsurface formations 103. The drill string 100 has a bottom hole assembly (BHA) 104 which includes a drill bit 105 at its lower end. A surface system 106 includes platform and derrick assembly positioned over the borehole 102, the assembly including a rotary table 108, kelly (not shown), hook 110, and rotary swivel 112. The drill string 100 is rotated by the rotary table 108 energized by a driver, which engages the kelly (not shown) at the upper end of the drill string 100. The drill string 100 is suspended from the hook 110, attached to a traveling block (also not shown), through the kelly (not shown) and the rotary swivel 112 which permits rotation of the drill string 100 relative to the hook 110. A top drive system could be used instead of the rotary table system shown in FIG. 1 .

In the illustrated example, the surface system 106 further includes drilling fluid or mud 114 stored in a pit 116 formed at the well site. A pump 118 delivers the drilling fluid to the interior of the drill string 100 via a port (not shown) in the swivel 112, causing the drilling fluid to flow downwardly through the drill string 100 as indicated by the directional arrow 120. The drilling fluid exits the drill string 100 via ports (not shown) in the drill bit 105, and then circulates upwardly through an annulus region between the outside of the drill string 100 and the wall of the borehole 102, as indicated by the directional arrows 130A and 130B. In this manner, the drilling fluid lubricates the drill bit 105 and carries formation cuttings up to the surface as it is returned to the pit 116 for recirculation.

The BHA 104 of the illustrated embodiment may include a measuring-while-drilling (MWD) tool 132, a logging-while-drilling (LWD) tool 134, a rotary steerable directional drilling system 136 and motor, and the drill bit 105. It will also be understood that more than one LWD tool and/or MWD tool can be employed, e.g., as represented at 138.

The LWD tool 134 is housed in a drill collar and can contain one or a plurality of logging tools. The LWD tool 134 may include capabilities for measuring, processing, and storing information, as well as for communicating with the surface equipment. In the present example, the LWD tool 134 may include one or more tools configured to measure, without limitation, electrical resistivity, acoustic velocity or slowness, neutron porosity, gamma-gamma density, neutron activation spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and natural gamma emission spectroscopy.

The MWD tool 132 is also housed in a drill collar and can contain one or more devices for measuring characteristics of the drill string and drill bit. The MWD tool 132 further includes an apparatus 140 for generating electrical power for the downhole system. This may typically include a mud turbine generator powered by the flow of the drilling fluid, it being understood that other power and/or battery systems may be employed. In the present embodiment, the MWD tool 132 may include one or more of the following types of measuring devices, without limitation: a weight-on-bit measuring device, a torque measuring device, a vibration measuring device, a shock measuring device, a stick slip measuring device, a direction measuring device, and an inclination measuring device. The power generating apparatus 140 may also include a drilling fluid flow modulator for communicating measurement and/or tool condition signals to the surface for detection and interpretation by a logging and control unit 142.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a connection system 200, according to an embodiment. The connection system 200 generally includes a loading assembly 202, a first torque-applying device 204, a second torque-applying device 206, and a tubular handling assembly 208. The loading assembly 202 may be for handling relatively short “first” tubulars 210, while the tubular handling assembly 208 may be for handling relatively long “second” tubulars 212 (e.g., drill pipe), as will be described in greater detail below. Further, the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206 may be part of a bucking system, which may be used to makeup (connect together, e.g., to a predetermined torque) two tubulars. In particular, the first torque-applying device 204 may be a tailstock, having jaws that extend radially to engage a tubular and resist rotation of the tubular, while the second torque-applying device 206 may be a headstock that has jaws that engage a tubular and cause it to rotate. Accordingly, the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206 are axially offset from one another in a horizontal direction and aligned with one another, so as to support tubular connection therebetween. Either or both of the first and/or second torque-applying devices 204, 206 may be movable axially to support thread-up of a connection between tubulars.

A base 214 extends along the ground and horizontally in a first horizontal direction between the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206, the loading assembly 202, and the handling assembly 208, so as to rigidly connect together these components. The first horizontal direction may be parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first and second tubulars 210, 212.

The loading assembly 202 includes a ramp 220 that is positioned on legs 222 that extend upward from the base 214. The ramp 220 may be inclined, as shown, such that the elevation of the ramp 220 increases in a second horizontal direction that is transverse to the first horizontal direction. For example, the ramp 220 may have a loading side 224, into which the first tubulars 210 are loaded, such that gravity tends to hold the first tubulars 210 packed together laterally while staged. Thus, several first tubulars 210 can be loaded into the ramp 220 and subsequently connected to other tubulars (e.g., the second tubular 212).

The loading assembly 202 may also include a mechanized conveyor or “feeder” 226 of any type that may move the first tubulars 210 sequentially up the ramp 220 and in the second horizontal direction toward axial alignment with the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206. Suitable conveyors 226 may include tracks, rollers, gears, arms, etc. The handling assembly 208 may include supports 230, 231 that may be configured to position the second tubular 212 with respect to the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206. For example, the supports 230, 231 may be configured to engage the second tubular 212 along its length, supporting the second tubular 212 in a horizontal orientation. The supports 230, 231 may be vertically adjustable so as to permit raising and lowering of the second tubular 212. The supports 230, 231 may include rollers or low-friction surfaces, e.g., in a V-shape, so as to facilitate supporting and sliding of the second tubular 212 while avoiding abrasion thereto.

The handling assembly 208 may also include one or more, e.g., two, spinners 232, 234. In an embodiment, the spinners 232, 234 may each take the form of a pair of wheels, as shown. Either or both of the spinners 232, 234 may be powered and configured to rotate the second tubular 212. In some cases, one of the spinners 232 is powered and the other spinner 234 may be unpowered (idler) and may support the second tubular 212 while it rotates. In an embodiment, the supports 230, 231 may be configured to lower the second tubular 212 onto the spinners 232, 234, so as to engage therewith and permit rotation when in the appropriate position.

The relatively short first tubulars 210 may be cross-overs, subs, components of a bottomhole assembly, lifting collars, etc. As can be appreciated from the figure (although not necessarily drawn to scale), the first tubulars 210 are too small in axial dimension (length) to span the horizontal distance between the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206, and thus, if not attached to an external structure, would fall if moved through the first torque-applying device 204 toward the second torque-applying device 206. By contrast, the relatively long second tubular 212 may be a drill pipe (or stand of drill pipes), which may have a length that is sufficient (by itself or in combination with one of the first tubulars 210) to span the distance between the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the connection system 200 in a second state, according to an embodiment. Comparing the view in FIG. 3 with that of FIG. 2 , it is seen that the supports 230, 231 have lowered the second tubular 212 into the spinners 232, 234. Further, the ramp 220 has a raising platform 300, which is configured to lift one of the first tubulars 210 upwards in elevation and into axial alignment with the second tubular 212 that is engaged by the spinners 232, 234. In various embodiments, the first tubular 210 may be temporarily restrained from movement (e.g., rotation) relative to the platform 300, e.g., using clamps or any other suitable device. While supported by the platform 300, the first tubular 210 may not be in axial alignment with the first torque-applying device 204, but may be slightly vertically below alignment therewith. This may permit raising of the spun-together first and second tubulars 210, 212 from engagement with the spinners 232, 234 and subsequent axial translation thereof through the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206, as will be described in greater detail below.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a flowchart of a method 400 for connecting together tubulars, according to an embodiment. The method 400 may, in at least some embodiments, proceed by operation of an embodiment of the connection system 200 discussed above and is thus described with reference thereto. However, some embodiments of the method 400 may be executed using other structures and/or systems. Further, the actions of the method 400 may be executed in the order presented hereinbelow, but in other embodiments, actions of the method 400 may be performed in any other order, and/or actions of the method 400 may be combined, broken apart, performed in parallel, etc., without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In the illustrated embodiment, the method 400 may begin by loading one or more (e.g., a plurality of) first tubulars 210 into a loading assembly 202, as at 402. As discussed above, the loading assembly 202 may generally include a ramp 220 and a mechanized conveyor 226 that moves the first tubulars 210 up the ramp 220 and in a first horizontal direction (e.g., lateral with respect to the first tubulars 210). The method 400 may also include positioning a second tubular 212 into a handling assembly 208, as at 404. This initial stage of the method 400 is shown in FIG. 1 .

One of the first tubulars 210 and/or the second tubular 212 may then be moved, such that the one of the first tubulars 210 and the second tubular 212 are axially aligned (e.g., coaxial), as at 406. For example, the conveyor system 226 may load the one of the first tubulars 210 onto a platform 300, which may then be elevated from the ramp 220. Before, during, or after this time, the second tubular 212 may be loaded into spinners 232, 234, e.g., by lowering supports 230, 231. This stage of the method 400 is shown in FIG. 3 .

As shown in FIG. 5 , the spinners 232, 234 may then spin the second tubular 212 relative to the one of the first tubulars 210, so as to engage the first tubular 210 with the second tubular 212, as at 408. The one of the first tubulars 210 may be restrained from rotation, such that the second tubular 212 may be threaded into engagement therewith. However, a relatively low, or potentially no, torque connection is formed therebetween, as this engagement may be sufficient solely to prevent linear (e.g., vertical) displacement of the first and second tubulars 210, 212.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the method 400 may then include lifting the now-connected first and second tubulars 210, 212 upwards, e.g., by extending the supports 230, 231, such that the second tubulars 212 is lifted out of the spinners 232, 234, as at 410. The first tubular 210 is lifted as well, solely by its engagement with the second tubular 212, e.g., without separate cranes or other external devices supporting the weight of the first tubular 210, and while the first tubular 210 remains in a horizontal orientation (longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the ground). Such lifting of the first and second tubulars 210, 212 may bring the first and second tubulars 210, 212 into alignment with the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206. In other embodiments, the lifting at 410 may be omitted, for example, as the initial spin-in connection of the first and second tubulars 210, 212 may be conducted at a position where the first and second tubulars 210, 212 are aligned with the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206.

As also shown in FIG. 6 , the first and second tubulars 210, 212, which are connected but not torqued together (i.e., “spun” together), may be moved (e.g., slid or rolled) at least partially through the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206, as at 412. As shown, no cranes or external structures are used to support the first tubular 210, despite the first tubular 210 being too short to extend, by itself, between the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206. Rather, the first tubular 210 is supported only by its connection with the second tubular 212, and is thus prevented from falling between the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206. Eventually, the distal end of the first tubular 210 reaches and slides into the second torque-applying device 206.

The method 400 may then include engaging the first tubular 210 using the second torque-applying device 206, as at 414. The method 400 may also include engaging the second tubular 212 using the first torque-applying device 204, as at 416. The method 400 may then include applying a torque to the connection between the first and second tubulars 210, 212 using the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206, as at 418. For example, the first torque-applying device 204 may grip the second tubular 212 so as to prevent the second tubular 212 from rotating. The second torque-applying device 206 may grip the first tubular 210 and cause the first tubular 210 to rotate, thereby torquing the connection, e.g., to a predetermined torque specification.

The first and second tubulars 210, 212 may then be removed from engagement with the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206, as at 419. In various embodiments, another first tubular 210 may then be connected to the end of the first tubular 210 that was just connected to the second tubular 212, e.g., by sliding the connected-together first and second tubulars 210, 212 away from the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206 and treating the connected-together first and second tubulars 210, 212 as the second tubular 212 in the foregoing description. Alternatively, the connected-together first and second tubulars 210, 212 may be connected to other tubulars, e.g., after storage in a rack or otherwise prepared for deployment into a well.

Embodiments of the method 400 may also permit breaking apart connections. For example, the first and second tubulars 210, 212 may be loaded into the connection system 200 in an already-connected configuration, as at 420. The first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206 may engage the second and first tubulars 212, 210, respectively, and the second torque-applying device 206 may apply a reverse torque to the first tubular 210 so as to break apart the connection, but may permit the first and second tubulars 210, 212 to remain loosely connected together, as at 422. The first and second tubulars 210, 212 may then be withdrawn from the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206, again with the connection therebetween serving to prevent the first tubular 210 from falling between the first and second torque-applying devices 204, 206, as at 424. The spinners 232, 234 may then be used to fully disengage the first and second tubulars 210, 212, and the disconnected first tubular 210 may be received back into the ramp 220 of the loading assembly 202.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Moreover, the order in which the elements of the methods are illustrated and described may be re-arranged, and/or two or more elements may occur simultaneously. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principals of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for connecting together tubulars, comprising: a first torque-applying device configured to apply torque to a tubular; a second torque-applying device configured to apply torque to a tubular, the second torque-applying device being offset from the first torque-applying device in a first horizontal direction by a first length; a loading assembly configured to convey a first tubular at least in a second horizontal direction into axial alignment with the first and second torque-applying devices, wherein the first tubular has an axial length that is smaller than the first length between the first and second torque-applying devices; and a tubular spinner configured to spin a second tubular into connection with the first tubular, wherein the first torque-applying device is configured to engage the first tubular, and wherein the second torque-applying device is configured to engage the second tubular so as to apply torque to a connection between the first tubular and the second tubular.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first tubulars are prevented from falling between the first and second torque-applying devices by engagement with the second tubular.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first tubular is only supported by connection with the second tubular at least partially during a time in which the first tubular is moved between the first and second torque-applying devices.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the loading assembly comprises a ramp and a conveyor device that is configured to move the first tubular and at least one other tubular sequentially in the second horizontal direction and along the ramp.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the loading assembly comprises a platform that is configured to move vertically so as to raise the first tubular into alignment with the first torque-applying device.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the tubular spinner comprises rollers that engage the second tubular, and wherein the first tubular is restrained from rotation relative to the platform while the second tubular is spun into connection therewith.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first torque-applying device comprises a headstock that is configured to engage the second tubular and move the second tubular axially relative to the first tubular, and wherein the second torque-applying device comprises a headstock configured to rotate the first tubular relative to the second tubular.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first tubular is axially shorter than the second tubular.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first tubular is selected from the group consisting of a bottom-hole assembly component, a cross-over, and a slips lifting collars, and wherein the second tubular comprises a drill pipe.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a base that connects together the loading assembly, the tubular spinner, and the first and second torque-applying devices.
 11. A method, comprising: loading a plurality of first tubulars into a loading assembly; moving one of the first tubulars in a first horizontal direction into alignment with a first torque-applying device using the loading assembly; spinning a second tubular into connection with the one of the first tubulars; moving the second tubular and the one of the first tubulars through the first torque-applying device in a second horizontal direction, such that the one of the first tubulars moves into a second torque-applying device, the second torque-applying device being spaced apart from the first torque-applying device by a distance that exceeds an axial length of each of the first tubulars; and applying a torque to the one of the first tubulars and to the second tubular using the first and second torque-applying devices.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: applying a second torque to the one of the first tubulars and to the second tubular using the first and second torque-applying devices so as to break out a connection therebetween; moving the second tubular and the one of the first tubulars through the first torque-applying device; and spinning the second tubular relative to the one of the first tubulars so as to disengage the second tubular therefrom.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising restraining the one of the first tubulars while spinning the second tubular.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein moving the second tubular and the one of the first tubulars comprises advancing the second tubular on a roller in a second axial direction, and wherein the one of the first tubulars is prevented from falling between the first and second torque-applying devices by engagement with the second tubular.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein moving the one of the first tubulars comprises lifting the one of the first tubulars vertically relative to the first torque-applying device.
 16. A system for connecting together tubulars, comprising: a loading assembly for receiving a plurality of first tubulars; a handling assembly including one or more supports for receiving a second tubular, the second tubular being axially longer than each of the first tubulars, wherein the one or more supports are configured to hold the second tubular in axial alignment with one of the plurality of first tubulars in the loading assembly and permit axial movement of the second tubular through one or more torque-applying devices; and a spinner configured to spin at least one of the second tubular or the one of the plurality of first tubulars relative to the other, so as to connect the second tubular and the one of the plurality of first tubulars, such that the one of the first tubulars is prevented, by way of connection with the second tubular, from vertical displacement relative to the second tubular.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more torque-applying devices comprises a first torque-applying device and a second torque-applying device, the first and second torque-applying devices being offset by a horizontal distance that is greater than an axial length of the one of the plurality of first tubulars.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the loading assembly comprises a ramp and a mechanized conveyor configured to move the plurality of first tubulars sequentially along the ramp and into axial alignment with the second tubular.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the loading assembly further comprises a platform configured to raise the one of the plurality of first tubulars vertically upwards from the ramp and into axial alignment with the second tubular.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more supports are vertically extendable so as to permit the second tubular to be lowered into engagement with the spinner, and to be raised out of engagement with the spinner and into axial alignment with the one or more torque-applying devices. 